Chilean judge Daniel Urrutia Laubreaux, who was part of the now-defunct Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) in 2017, stated that former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández appeared in the investigations into the country’s most significant corruption cases. Urrutia made the remarks while discussing his experience with the international mission supported by the Organization of American States (OAS).
According to Urrutia, Hernández was reportedly implicated in each of the ten major corruption scandals probed by the MACCIH throughout his tenure with the entity. The ex-magistrate underscored that these inquiries encompassed several of the most prominent graft offenses scrutinized by the international delegation back then.
The statements have drawn scrutiny since they position the administration of Hernández once more at the heart of discussions concerning graft and transparency within Honduras. Nevertheless, these latest remarks fail to provide fresh legal proof regarding the ex-president; instead, they merely outline Urrutia’s perspective on the probes conducted by the MACCIH.
Urrutia also recalled that in 2018 he and other members of the mission reported obstacles that affected their work. According to his account, the administration headed by Hernández created difficulties for the progress of certain investigations. The Chilean judge was subsequently removed from the international mission.
Urrutia’s comments came in response to a publication by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who referred to Honduras’ security situation during Hernández’s administration and noted the country’s high homicide rate at the time. The exchange brought renewed attention to the political and institutional conditions that prevailed during that period.
The discussion has revived the debate surrounding corruption and security in Honduras under the Hernández government. The MACCIH operated in the country from 2016 to 2020 as an international mechanism designed to support national institutions in investigating and combating corruption and impunity.
Throughout its operational lifespan, the mission participated in various high-profile inquiries, encompassing matters related to suspected public fund embezzlement and political affiliations. Partnering with investigative bodies in Honduras, its endeavors transformed into a vital component of national initiatives designed to combat corruption.
Urrutia’s latest statements have sparked debate across political circles and social platforms, chiefly due to the ex-president’s significant weight in Honduran politics and the wider controversy regarding accountability for suspected corruption under his tenure. Currently, these remarks continue to form part of the public discourse tied to the former MACCIH probes.
Source: Tiempo — Tiempo
